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A chest freezer for the home is an alternative to the usual freezers built into refrigerators. Previously, large freezers were found only in stores, in production, at catering points, today manufacturers offer compact chests for home use.
Why you need a big freezer
Each refrigerator is equipped with a freezer or even two, but some are thinking about buying a chest freezer. How is it different from a regular freezer? Advantages:
- Long-term storage of products.
- Compactness. A free-standing chest occupies a minimum of space in the kitchen.
- Spaciousness. Large volumes of products are loaded.
- Comfortable use. In a conventional freezer, the products are mixed, here they can be laid out in baskets. When you need something, you can quickly find it.
- Mobility. A small household appliance can be easily moved from place to place, taken out of the apartment, transported in a car.
- Practicality. Capacious models are loaded with voluminous packages, whole carcasses. The compact freezer lid can be used as an additional useful surface.
- Low power consumption.
- In commercial versions, the lids are equipped with locks.
- Reasonable organization of space. There are special boxes.
- Deep freeze. To preserve the maximum of useful substances in vegetables and fruits.
- Autonomous cold. When the power goes out, the temperature inside the chamber remains low. The duration of the period depends on the brand and manufacturer, usually it is 6-8 hours.
Chest or camera – which is better
Manufacturers offer two types of freezing equipment: they perform the same functions, but have several important differences. Which is better – a camera or a chest? Let’s compare their advantages:
- In boxes with a horizontal lid, there is no differentiation of freezing modes. In vertical chambers there are several isolated compartments that differ in temperature.
- Cameras consume more electricity.
- In the chambers, the height of the shelves can be adjusted to make optimal use of the space.
- Camera owners often complain about the increased noise during compressor operation that occurs after setting the lowest possible temperatures.
- The chest is cheaper and more compact than the camera, it will crawl through the narrowest doorway. Deservedly receives positive feedback from consumers.
What can be the disadvantages
Disadvantages of chest freezers:
- Maintaining the same temperature.
- The complexity of the organization of space. Having to bend down to get food from below. Inside there are hanging baskets-containers, but below everything is stacked on top of each other.
Who buys them
Chest freezers are used both at home and at work. They are in demand in small shops, cafes, in ordinary kitchens. They can store stocks of meat, ice cream, vegetables, fruits. Useful:
- fans of a healthy lifestyle – store plant products without losing useful properties;
- lovers to stock up for future use;
- hunters and fishermen;
- gardeners and gardeners;
- mushroom pickers;
- pet owners – store food;
- large families – for bulk purchases.
- rural residents – for meat and dairy products of their own production.
What parameters to look for when buying
- Cover, type and volume. For a store or cafe, larger sizes are needed – from 200 liters. The lid is transparent to show the product face. For the home, options with a blank cover are suitable. Volume – up to 100 liters.
- climate class. The parameter indicates the upper and lower limits of the room temperature for normal operation of the freezer.
- Energy consumption per day. The class is determined by the compressor type. The best option is A++.
- Dimensions. In order for the equipment to work for a long time and work properly, it must be freely placed in the room intended for it.
Important! Chest freezers are not recommended for use in an unheated room. At sub-zero temperatures, this technique is not used. Recommended range: +16 to +38°C. See the climate class on the packaging. Recommended: N to ST.
How to choose an option for your home
Almost all well-known brands of household and refrigeration equipment offer chest freezers. On the market you can find equipment of European brands – Gorenje (“Burning”), Liebherr, Indesit, Kraft (“Kraft”), etc., Russian-made – Italfrost, Biryusa, Snezh, Don, Pozis ”,“ Sviyaga ”,“ Caravel ”. There are also Chinese analogues – Tesler, Dexp.
The list is impressive – dozens of well-known companies offer freezing and refrigeration equipment of various sizes, capacities, designs, with different performance characteristics: Atlant, Hansa (Hansa), Candy, Italfrost, Nord, Bravo, Avex, Beko, Whirlpool, Zanussi, Tesler, Delfa, etc.
The consumer, in order to choose an option, needs to familiarize himself with the minimum set of marker parameters, according to which equipment for home or commerce is selected.
- Download type. Top-loading models are like a cabinet – they are freezers. Sizes: from mini to 600 liters. Horizontal ones open from above – that’s why they are called chests, and also mobile cellars. Horizontal versions use space and energy more economically.
- Defrosting. Which is more convenient, manual defrost or “No Frost”? The automatic version of Nou Frost is a hostess’s dream. The principle of operation of cameras with automatic defrosting is simple: the fan that creates frost turns off, defrosting begins. Water flows down on special channels, then the normal mode joins.
- Camera class. Indicates the equipment’s ability to maintain the set temperature to maintain product quality: one asterisk – 7 days storage at -6°C; two stars – 30 days or more at -12°C. Which temperature regime is better, users decide.
- Control type. Selected based on reliability and functionality requirements. There are mechanical and electronically automated.
- Volume. Determined by the needs of the user. For an apartment, a volume of 200 liters is enough. For storing meat, game, fish, it is better to choose a volume of 300, 400 liters or more.
Many buyers are interested in how much energy an average chest freezer consumes? The most popular volume for a home is 350 liters, and its optimal energy consumption is 70-75 kW per month.
What do they look like
Designers are not too fond of the appearance of freezer boxes, they all look alike. There are models:
- with a metal cover;
- with stainless lid;
- with glass cover.
Versions with transparent lids are designed for stores – this is a kind of showcase through which the buyer examines the goods.
Variety is achieved through the use of plastic, stainless steel or painted metal. Along with the standard white metal chests, designers offer a new approach to the theme – color execution. The Derby brand produces bright appliances, painted in different colors, with curved or straight glass.
Imported or Russian – what to choose
Which technique to choose – Russian or imported? Comparison of options is carried out according to a number of parameters discussed above. The advantage of domestic analogues is a low price and decent quality. Having made an overview of competitors and analyzed the demand, we will single out the leaders:
- “Snow”. Low cost and high level of reliability. Plus – all models have wheels for comfortable movement. Retain performance in sub-zero weather and hot weather.
- Liebherr. The high cost of German chests is justified by enviable functionality. The costs will pay off due to high energy efficiency. The asset is high quality, comfortable use and good capacity.
- Frostor. The domestic manufacturer offers a compact chest. Attractive price, light weight. The model is equipped with a glass cover and metal baskets for products. 12…-25°C — working temperatures.
- Polair. An example of high-quality Russian production. Transparent lid with curved glass. Suitable for any purpose – domestic or commercial.
Rating of chest freezers – top three
- Shivaki SCF-210W. Fast freezing of large volumes of products. Used to make ice. Freezing capacity – 9 kg per day. When the power is turned off, the products are stored for 15 hours.
- Pozis FH-250-1. The TOP of the best chests includes a model from an affordable price category. Production – Russia. Volume – 350 liters.
- Liebherr GT 4932-20. Leads the rating of reliability and demand. Manufacturer – Austria. Volume – 450 liters. Super freeze model. Auto mode. Freezing capacity per day – 31 kg. Automatic temperature control.
Price categories
How much does an inexpensive chest freezer cost? To compare the cost of goods, you need to understand what the price depends on. There are three price categories:
- Low price segment. Small chamber. A good choice for the average consumer.
- Middle category. Models from 600 liters. Additionally – a differentiated temperature regime, the functions of dry freezing, shock freezing and others.
- The highest category. The price depends on the volume and on the quality characteristics, functionality and comfortable use.
Chest Freezer Classification
Depending on the tasks for which freezing equipment is chosen, they study the freezing power, chamber volume, and showcase width. Trade versions are equipped with transparent lids.
For home. examples:
- Indesit OS B 200 2 H. Price: 15 rubles. Weight – 600 kg. Volume – 59 liters. Power – 215 kg / day. One compressor.
- Biryusa 14. Price: 10 rubles. Volume – 700 l. Power – 120 kg / day. One compressor.
For shop. Trading options:
- Frostor F200E. Price: 17 rubles. Description: bent glass lid, climate class 200, 4 l, weight 230 kg.
- Gellar FG 400 C. Price: 21 rubles. Description: glass shutters, 900 kg – weight, 56 l, built-in lock, wheels.
Interesting! In commercial premises, a three-level chest freezer is often used. In it, showcases-lids are located one above the other – compact and convenient.
For ice cream. Examples:
- Gellar FG 550 E. Glass cover – open access for buyers. Works at high temperature. 490 l, weight – 71 kg, thickened thermal insulation.
- Snezh MLK-400. Price: 19 rubles, 400 liters, weight – 393 kg, wheels, maximum air temperature +60°C.
Reviews
Alevtina, Primorsky Krai
For a long time they doubted whether a chest freezer was needed at all in everyday life. I didn’t want to get extra noise and waste of electricity in the kitchen. But the desire to have frozen fruits and vegetables overpowered. We bought a Frostor F 200 S. The price is affordable, there is practically no noise. It is convenient that the “chest” with products can be rolled from place to place. Freezes without a hitch. There was no refrigerant leak. Yes, more! When the electricity is cut off, the products are safe for a long time – the frost remains.
Gennady, Voronezh
Until a certain time, I did not even know why these boxes with lids were needed. I saw it with friends and caught fire – you can pack all the country products. Berries, apples, etc. Again, you can fish – I love to fish. I began to find out which brand to buy – to be reliable and inexpensive. Advised Bravo XF-152 JA. Well, maybe it’s better to eat, but I don’t regret it yet. I don’t really care about the prestige of the brand, and the freezer works properly. 140 liters of volume is enough for me. Freezes thoroughly – in the chamber minus 24 degrees. True, manual defrost. It doesn’t weigh much – only 30 kilograms. In general, the purchase is satisfied.
As you can see, a huge range of chest freezers for home use opens before the buyer. Which unit to give preference to – imported or domestic, volumetric or compact, expensive or cheap – your choice. Focus on our tips, and enjoy your shopping!